240 CATTLE 



shaggy coat of richest black or red or dun or brindle color, impart a 

 picturesqueness which is still further enhanced by that grace and 

 deliberation of movement so distinctive of all animals reared in per- 

 fect freedom." The temperament is wild and bold, due to a con- 

 dition of natural lack of restraint unknown among other breeds. 



The size of the West Highland cattle is comparatively small, 

 cows perhaps averaging 900 pounds and males 1200, although 

 one sees some larger on the hills and at the shows in Scotland. 



FIG. 102. Mora Droughty, champion Highland cow at the Louisiana Purchase 

 Exposition, 1904. A very typical specimen. Exhibited by W. M. Van 

 Norden, Rye, New York. Photograph by the author 



The West Highland breed as a beef producer is superlative so 

 far as quality is concerned. The meat is fine of grain, the fat is 

 well distributed among the lean, the flavor is unsurpassed, and 

 the carcasses dress out well. In the British market beef of this 

 breed ranks at the top. Yet these cattle feed very slowly and 

 mature late, and seem best adapted to feeding under Scotch 

 mountain environment. 



The hardiness of West Highland cattle is remarkable. Used to 

 a free life on the Scotch hills, where summer and winter they 



